Senator Collins Meets with Senate Youth Program Delegates from Caribou High School, Hampden Academy

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Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Susan Collins congratulated Claire Ouellette of Caribou High School and Ryan Hafener of Hampden Academy on being selected as Maine’s delegates to the 62nd Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

“In addition to their impressive academic and extra-curricular achievements, Claire and Ryan each have a commendable focus on giving back to their communities, and they have very bright futures ahead of them,” said Senator Collins.  “I have the honor and privilege of being the first delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth Program to have been elected to the U.S. Senate.  As a senior in high school, this incredible program strengthened my commitment to public service.  I am pleased that Claire and Ryan will also have the opportunity to participate in this exciting opportunity.”

Claire Ouellette is a senior at Caribou High School and serves as the president of the Student Council and National Honor Society. She is a band section leader, varsity cheerleading captain, Senior Class vice president, Key Club treasurer, and Tri-M Music Honor Society vice president. Claire has been named English Student of the Year and AP U.S. History Student of the Year, and was also recognized for both Math and Performing Arts Academic Excellence. She is active in community service including Relay for Life, Little League, Vacation Bible School, Wintergreen Art Center, Athletic Boosters, and the Caribou Community School Music Program. She is currently employed at a local daycare. Claire hopes to major in accounting at the University of Maine and return to her hometown area upon graduation.

Ryan Hafener is a senior at Hampden Academy, serves as the student representative on the Maine state Board of Education and is a co-chair the Maine Department of Education’s Student Cabinet. He has interned in the Office of Policy and Government Affairs at the Maine Department of Education and currently interns for a state-level legislative campaign committee. Ryan is an alumnus of a climate policy intensive run by Maine’s governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future focused on workforce development in the clean energy sector. He is the president of the Hampden Academy Student Council and serves as a student representative on the Regional School Unit 22 School Board. Ryan is a member of the National Honor Society and serves on the GLSEN National Student Council, which is an LGBTQ+ education nonprofit. In 2022 and 2023, he participated in Seeds of Peace, an international peacebuilding program. Ryan plans to major in either political science or international affairs at Bowdoin College.

The USSYP, founded in 1962, is fully funded by The Hearst Foundation with the goal of raising awareness among young Americans about the role of the federal government and the importance of our democratic process.  During Washington Week, the students will attend virtual meetings and briefings with Senators, Congressmen, the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, and an Ambassador to the United States, among others. Delegates also receive a $10,000 college scholarship to help them pursue their future endeavors.

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